Daily archives for April 12th, 2016

The Blood Tribe Chief and Councillors have read with concern the April 10, 2016 news article printed in the Calgary Sun with respect to violent drug wars in Lethbridge and Blood Tribe communities. In response to the article, the Chief and Council would state that there is much more that is being done in the Blood Tribe Community to alleviate the drug problem and related crime activity than is being reported by the media. organizations. Early in March 2015, as a result of growing concern of drug abuse in the community and escalating problem with respect to the use of the street drug Oxy 80 and other opiates, the Blood Council developed a plan to address these issues. Council has worked with concerned community members, including members of Council, Blood Tribe Administration Departments and entities and professionals within the public service and health agencies to develop a Core Group to provide services to the community to deal with these issues. In March 2015, The Blood Tribe Council declared a Local State of Emergency on the Blood Reserve as a result of the danger to the health, well‐being and welfare of members of the Blood Tribe. Council also directed the Blood Tribe Police to take immediate action and ensure that a priority was given to combatting the growing unlawful drug sales and the growing use of opiates in the Blood Tribe community. The Blood Tribe police continue to put a high priority on these issues and Council has supported their endeavors through various means, including banishment of any known drug dealers who are trespassing on the Reserve. The Blood Tribe Council continues to wage war on the drug abuse and dealers in the Blood Tribe community and seek support from the Provincial and Federal authorities to deal with the related issues that are created as a result of the criminal activities. The Chief and Council is pleased that the Core Group has been vigilant in dealing with these negative impacts that have created much turmoil in our community. The health and well‐being of community members is of utmost importance and efforts to keep out drugs and gang activity on the Reserve will continue for as long as it takes to assure we have a safe community. For more information, please contact: Rick Tailfeathers 403.308.0760